Little Moments: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Chapter 34: The Finish Line

Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything related to OTH. I own the DVDs, but that's it.

A/N: As the story comes to a close, I want to take a second and say a few things to my wonderfully dedicated FanFiction family. Creating the life story for Nathan and Haley's daughter has been an absolute blast. Even though we have the "real" character in Lydia, I'd like to think (and maybe some of you do too) that Charlotte was the daughter Nathan and Haley were always supposed to have. I've loved getting to 2write about young love and the Coast Guard. I've loved the drama and the happiness shared between Charlotte and Graham. I love the couple and I love writing. I hope you've enjoyed the story as much as I have, because we wouldn't have made it this far without you guys. My readers and reviewers have been phenomenal. It's hard to get people interested in spinoffs, and the support for the entire Little Moments franchise has been more than I ever could have imagined. So thank you. Thanks so much. So here it is. Here's Charlotte's final chapter. Enjoy!

-ReeseHolden

OTHOTH

It was morning. The early sun was bouncing light off the Cape Fear in every direction, and the steam from a paper coffee cup mixed into the thick humid air. June was like that in North Carolina- humid. It always had been and always would be. No matter how much time had passed, some things in Tree Hill would never change.

Looking out across the calm water, Charlotte raised her coffee towards her mouth and took a quick sip. It was a strange thing, time. The wooden bench she sat on had been there for ages. Marred with engravings and messages from strangers, the old spot her parents used to come to was timeless. Now in her mid fifties, Charlotte had a deeper appreciation for tradition and pastime. In fact, the whole reason she was downtown on an early June morning was due to tradition. It was the day of the annual Diligence Dash.

Like so many years before, Charlotte was going to work at the registration table. She'd make small-talk with participants and encourage each and everyone of them with her sweet smile. She'd meet new friends and neighbors, but this Diligence Dash was going to be a little bit different than those of years prior. This morning was about more than just the race. It wasn't about the runners, or the street vendors along the Riverwalk. It was about Graham. Her husband was receiving a medal of valor for his servitude and commitment to the United States Coast Guard. He'd actually already been given the award at last month's banquet, but the Admiral wanted to let the public know of Graham's diligent duty. What better place than the annual Diligence Dash?

Even with the morning heat, Charlotte could feel her cheeks redden at the thought of Graham. He still had that effect on her. It was cute. After thirty some odd years together, they were still as in love as ever. Charlotte was so proud of him- of his accomplishments and of their lives together. He'd given her everything she could have ever wanted and more.

Looking out across the water to cool her rosy cheeks, Charlotte eyed the Rivercourt. The old gray battleship was still anchored to the marshy land near the basketball court, and memories of her childhood and of her family flooded Charlotte's memory. It was hard to believe it had been over fifty years since her father first took her out there to shoot free throws. It was even harder to believe it had been sixteen years since she'd gone on her last school field trip to the old, weathered battleship. Her kids were all grown now. All four of them were out of high school, finished with college, and starting their own exciting, young lives.

Hattie was nearly thirty and she was busting her butt to try and make partner at a Raleigh based law firm. Incredibly intelligent and kind, Hattie kept her priorities and commitments to work. Her younger brother, Scott, however, had found the delicate balance of work and family. An electrical engineer, Scott married a young dental assistant and the two twenty-seven years old currently had little boy who was almost six months old. A dark-haired mixture of Graham and Nathan, Charlotte's first grandchild had been spoiled rotten. Charlotte was actually quite surprised she only had one grandchild thus far. Mae had always been the one Charlotte had worried about. Wiley, gregarious, outgoing, and willing to try anything once, Mae seemed to be on life's road trip without a map or a destination. Wherever the wind would take her, the twenty-four year old would go. It took her a little longer to finish college than her older brother and sister, and she'd dabbled in various job markets, but she'd yet to find her niche. It would come eventually, though. Charlotte felt sure of that. The other thing Charlotte had been sure of was that one of her boys would follow in their father's footsteps. And her youngest had. Banks had grown up the baby of the family; Charlotte and Graham's favorite surprise. Light haired like Mae, but with big brown eyes like Hattie, Banks took after his father and knew early on the Coast Guard was for him. If he wasn't chasing girls in high school he was splashing through waves on the old sailboat. So it seemed natural that the now twenty-three year old found himself working on vessels of all shapes and sizes with the USCG up in Curtis Bay, Maryland.

Out of the corner of her eye, Charlotte caught sight of Tree Hill's own Coast Guard cutter. Banks wasn't working on that particular boat, but she couldn't help but imagine him standing aboard the Diligence with his uniform and sweet grin like Graham had done so many times before. Lost in her thoughts, Charlotte barely heard the footsteps walking towards her. Turning, the older woman looked up to see her first-born child, who at twenty-nine, was no longer a child.

Hattie was petite, had big, beautiful brown eyes, chestnut colored hair, and was just as graceful as Charlotte but sometimes showed off her innate ability of being athletically clumsy. She nearly tripped when she reached the bench.

"Whoa..." Holding out her hands, Hattie steadied her balance and Charlotte couldn't help but smile.

This year Hattie was the one who would be sitting next to Charlotte at the registration table. Sawyer, Charlotte's partner in crime for so many years wasn't going to be there. The music lover had moved away from Tree Hill after her parents were gone and the twins were grown. But that was one thing Charlotte could never do. She could never leave North Carolina. It was home, and there was only one Tree Hill.

Charlotte looked up, shielded the sun from her eyes, and smiled at Hattie. "Hi."

The twenty-nine year old sat down and pushed her hair behind her ear with a defeated sigh. "Hi. I tried to get a hold of Mae, but she didn't answer. I think she went out last night, so it could be a rough morning for her."

Grinning, Charlotte let out a small laugh. Her two daughters couldn't be any more different. "I'm sure we'll meet up with her eventually. She always finds a way to get where she needs to be." Charlotte's lips turned into a smile. The dynamics between Hattie and Mae were something she could relate to.

"Yeah, but if anyone is going to miss the ceremony, it will be her. The only reason Banks gets a pass is because he's is Maryland." Hattie looked at her watch and widened her eyes, theatrically adding to her annoyance. "Good thing you didn't volunteer Mae to work registration. It's almost time to set up. We better head that way."

Charlotte started to get up and playfully leaned into Hattie's side, "Why do you think I asked you?"

OTHOTH

The first thirty minutes working registration hadn't been so bad. The humidity was beginning to lift, and a nice breeze began rolling off the Cape Fear River. Charlotte was an old pro. Hattie watched her mother quickly and without thought hand out packets and give instruction with ease. The younger brown-eyed woman was a bit slower, but she was getting the hang of it.

"Next?" Without looking up, Hattie waited for the name.

"Underpants. Captain Underpants."

Laughing, Hattie knew the voice instantly. Scott's dark hair made his green eyes look the color of the ocean, but the little boy he was holding in his arms was his best feature.

"Hey, you..." Hattie reached out and took a hold of her nephew's little foot. "Mom...," Hattie turned to Charlotte, "Look who came to visit."

Smiling as wide as she could, Charlotte immediately took her grandson in her arms. "Did you see your dad at the house?"

"Yeah, he was just behind us. I'm sure he'll be here soon."

"What about Mae?"

Folding his arms, Scott shook his head. "Nope. She's probably at Clothes Over Bro's with Aunt Brooke."

"Probably." Charlotte nodded and turned her attention to the little guy in her arms. She missed the days of having her kids so small. He was precious, cute as a button, and that little blue ball cap that shaded the sun from his eyes was equally as adorable.

Noticing the line behind him, Scott reached for his son. "Here. I'll let you two get back to work. We don't want to be in your way. Just wanted to say hey."

"Alright. Bye, buddy." Hattie waved with a sweet grin.

"See ya later." Scott disappeared into the crowd.

Charlotte looked from her son to her daughter and couldn't help but notice the happy smile Hattie was wearing. "You know..." Charlotte turned to her oldest and raised her brow. "It's not too late to think about having a family of your own."

"Mom..." Hattie huffed at her mother and tried to avoid the conversation. This was not the time or place. She didn't want to get a lecture on her love life.

"I'm just saying, Hat. I mean what was so wrong with...Brian. You two were good together."

"Yeah, until our lunch dates ended with him giving me copies to run and mail to file. He treated me like a secretary which is why I will never date a lawyer or anyone in or near my office again."

Looking to the crowds of Coasties, Charlotte glanced back to Hattie. "Well...you never know who you might find out there."

"Mom. Please. Not now." Hattie looked out to the crowd. Yes, there were some very handsome men roaming the streets of her small hometown, but she didn't have time for that. "You know I'm trying to make partner, so just let me have that for a little while. I'm..." As much as she wanted a boyfriend, Hattie knew the likelihood of her finding her guy at the Diligence Dash was a pipe dream. "It's not gonna happen like you and Dad."

"Have a little optimism, Hattie."

"Mom..." Rolling her eyes, Hattie turned her attention back to the runners. "Next. Name please?"

"Oh, keep going. I'm thoroughly enjoying this." The blonde haired, green-eyed, twenty-four year old standing in front of Hattie twisted her grin into a smirk.

Charlotte looked to Hattie's line and saw her youngest daughter. "Mae."

"How long have you been standing there?" Hattie glanced at her sister with an embarrassing look.

"Long enough." The younger McFarland sister smiled and put her hands on her hips. "So yeah, Hat, go find yourself a cute Coastie. You know dad would approve." Turning towards the crowds of good-looking men, Mae wiggled her eyebrows.

"Ugh..okay, okay. You made your entrance... Go, I have to give runner's their stuff."

Laughing at Hattie, Mae nodded her head. "I know. I need mine."

Charlotte was handing someone their materials, and looked to Mae. "You're running?"

"Yep, so come on Hattie. Will you give it to me? It's McFarland, Mae. Or you know...it could be under Virginia, but I doubt it. I don't know, I didn't register."

Obviously Mae didn't sign herself up. Running in a 5K was not her style. Thumbing through the Ms, Hattie furrowed her brow. "Then who did?" She spotted their last name but then realized there were two packets. She looked back up to Mae after seeing the names. "Wha..."

With one her finger over her mouth, Mae wanted to make sure Hattie didn't spill the beans. Lying straight through her teeth, Mae talked loud enough so their mom could here. "I think Dad did."

"Well, good luck, honey." Charlotte smiled up to Mae with a wide grin as she handed a runner their things.

"Thanks, I'll need it." Mae walked away for a second but secretly made her way back to Hattie's side.

"What are you doing? And WHY didn't you tell me about..." Hattie crossed her arms disappointed she didn't know that Banks was coming into town.

"Shh..." Mae leaned over and made sure Charlotte was busy with runners. "Because you don't need to know everything, Hattie. You're already like...a genius. I kinda thought you would figure it out."

"Does Scott know?"

"No. Just me. Mom doesn't. Dad doesn't. Nobody except me. Well, and Miller, but that's only because he's staying at her place."

Hattie was actually quite surprised at Mae's handy work. Maybe she didn't give her sister enough credit sometimes? "So...what do I need to do?"

"You and Mom need to switch places since you have the M's."

"Okay." Hattie leaned over to her mom and looked back to her sister. "But what do I say?"

"I don't know? You'll figure it out." Mae quickly got up and vanished into the crowded Riverwalk.

Hattie handed out another two packets before coming up with something decent to tell her mom. "Ugh...hey, Mom? I have more packets on this side than you, and since you're faster, you wanna switch?"

Charlotte looked down to the bins of registration packets and saw that Hattie was right. "Sure."

Once settled in her new chair, Hattie looked around for Mae, but all she saw was the lengthly line of runners still waiting for for their things. "Next..."

With fifteen minutes to race time, Charlotte knew her volunteering time was nearly over. There were only a few more people in her line. Carl, the chief of the Tree Hill Fire Department, a UNCW couple that reminded Charlotte of a young Jamie and Liza, and Stanley, the butcher who worked at a the local Piggly Wiggly.

"What do ya say, Charlotte? Think I got a chance at winning this thing?" The older man was just joking as he smoothed the sides of his race sticker against his shirt. "I'm faster than I look." He patted his belly with a grin.

Looking to the man who resembled Santa's Clauses younger, dark-haired brother, Charlotte politely smiled. "I'll be rooting for you." After Stanley walked away Charlotte turned to the unclaimed registration packs. "Looks like we'll have some no shows." She counted up the number in her head, and looked to Hattie. "What about you. How many do you have left?"

"Um..." Hattie did a quick count. "Seven."

"I have four left." Charlotte looked back down to double check

"Am I too late?" A deeper voice interrupted the women. The young man looked to his mother and smiled, "It should be under McFarland."

Charlotte immediately looked up and saw her youngest son. "Banks! What are you doing here?" He was supposed to be in Maryland. He wasn't supposed to be coming home now.

The twenty-three year old smiled with a shrug of his shoulders.

Charlotte got up and walked around the table to hug him. "I sent your birthday check in the mail last week. If I had known, I would have given it to you in person"

Laughing, Banks nodded. "It's okay, I got it. Thank you."

"Did you know about this?" Mid hug, Charlotte looked over to Hattie.

Shaking her head, the brunette held her hands out. "Not a thing."

"Mae organized it all." Banks looked over to Mae who'd walked up towards her family.

Seeing the blonde McFarland walk up, Charlotte let go of Banks to hug Mae. "You did all of this?"

"Sorta." As self-absorbed as she normally was, Mae didn't want to take all of the credit.

"Have you seen your dad, yet?" Charlotte pulled away from Mae to look at Banks again. She couldn't help but run her hand over the hair above his ear. It had been six months since he'd been home.

"No, not yet. I figured we'd surprise him, too."

Knowing the race was about to start, Hattie waved her mother away from the table. "You go. I'll take the packets and clean up. None of them had seen Banks since Christmas, and Hattie knew her mom would like a few minutes with him before he started the race.

"I'll help you, Hattie." Mae watched her mother and brother walk away.

Gathering up the things on the table, Hattie looked over her shoulder. "Don't you have a race to run?"

Laughing, Mae shook her head. "I'm not actually running. I just wanted the cheap plastic water bottle we get for registering."

Hattie rolled her eyes and laughed out loud. How did she not see that coming? "Well...I have to give you credit. You did a pretty good job on getting Banks here."

"I know, right." Mae was pretty proud of her accomplishment too. "And you know what my next mission is?"

"I'm kinda scared to ask."

Mae waved Hattie off. "You remember how little Penny Baker used to be all crushed out on Banks? Well, she's not so little anymore. I saw her in Clothes Over Bro's..."

"So you're gonna play matchmaker?"

Nodding, Mae arched her brow. "Who knows, maybe that's my thing."

Hattie didn't want to hurt Mae's feelings, but she didn't see her sister having a budding career in matchmaking. "Maybe."

As the girls started walking away with the rest of the registration things to return to the event coordinator, a lone Coastie ran up to them out of breath.

Running his hands over his short crew cut, the guy in his late twenties or early thirties looked to the girls. "Pa...Packet. I need my packet."

Mae nudged Hattie towards the guy with a grin. "She'll help you."

"Um..." Hattie looked back to her sister, scolding Mae for nudging her. "What's your name."

"Gibbs. Lee Gibbs."

Mae started walking away and caught Hattie's eye. Drawing a heart in the air with both of her fingers, the blonde looked to her sister mouthing the word matchmaker.

Hattie just rolled her eyes and turned back to help the guy find his packet. He was good looking, and seemed nice, but if anything ever came of this, Hattie knew she'd never live it down. Mae wouldn't let her.

OTHOTH

Graham was making his way through Water Street and the lines of street vendors when the sound of the starting gun echoed off the water. The trampling of feet against the cobblestone pavement was a familiar sound. As much fun as he'd had in years past running in the Diligence Dash, Graham knew his aging knees would thank him for opting out.

Closing in on sixty, Graham knew he would stick to swimming. Not only was it his passion, it was easy on his joints. These days he was retired from rescue swimming, but he'd still take a trip up to Elizabeth City every once and a while to visit the training site to show the young guns how it was done. If he could, he'd be a rescue swimmer for the rest of his life, but his body and Charlotte kept him from doing it. The jump out of the helicopter didn't feel the same now as it did when he was younger, and he didn't want to put any undue worry on his wife than needed. It was a tough job, rescue swimming. He loved it, but he'd aged out. Instead of taking the plunge into the deep dark ocean, now he oversaw the rescue swimming division for Tree Hill. He still got to be apart of the day to day motions of what he'd loved to do, but the aches and pains that came with the job were a little different.

Almost forty years with the United States Coast Guard, and it had gone by in a blink of an eye. Starting as an Ensign at the academy, Graham had moved up the ranks to Rear Admiral. He's lost count of the number of saves he had. He'd lost count of the number of patrols he'd gone on. But one thing he'd always remembered was the person he'd come home to after all those long, stormy night missions and after all those assignments on the Diligence.

Walking down the Riverwalk, Graham saw Charlotte leaning against the wooden rails and he twisted his wedding ring around his finger as he got closer to her. He couldn't see her face. She was looking at the water, but he knew Charlotte well enough to know she probably had her eyes closed, letting the sounds of the Cape and the sun wash over her skin. He leaned against the rail next to her and took a deep breath, smiling at the mixture of her perfume and brackish air.

Sensing his presence, Charlotte turned to her right with a smile. She caught glimpse of the scar on his chin and felt her cheeks redden. She'd first noticed it on their beach date all those years ago, and Charlotte was sure he was more handsome with age. He was wearing his casual utility blue uniform, and Graham always looked good in a uniform. The ball cap that went with it was in his hand so his gray hairs speckled in the light. There was something about that gray hair Charlotte liked, too- a reminded of their time together, perhaps?

"Hi."

Leaning over to kiss his wife, Graham pressed his lips just above her eyebrow. "Hey." He started to grin and ran his hand over his chest. "I was at the house for a while trying to figure out what to wear."

Charlotte smiled and brushed her thumb over the patch that had their last name on it. "I'm glad you picked this one."

Graham looked good in any of the uniforms he had, but there was something causally adorable about his utility blues. It had been his go-to attire for the majority of their marriage, and she liked the familiarity of it. It wasn't for special occasions or dressed up with decals. It was the simplicity of it all that she liked. It showed Graham off for who he was.

"How was registration?" Graham couldn't help but reach out and touch the sleeve of the white volunteer t-shirt.

Smiling widely, Charlotte nodded. "Good. Really good. There were lots of familiar faces."

"Yeah?" Graham looked into his wife's big brown eyes with a grin. "Did Stanley come by?"

"Yep. He told me he was gonna win."

Laughing, Graham arched his brow, "Probably because I told him the short cut."

"Graham." Charlotte's mouth fell open.

"What, I didn't think it would hurt. And..." Graham moved closer to Charlotte and rested his arms around her hips. "...he threw in an extra steak last week because I told him."

"So that's why there were three?"

"Yep." Graham nodded and leaned in to kiss his wife.

His lips on hers, and it still felt like they were in their twenties. Charlotte moved away and furrowed her brow. "All of this coming from a man getting an award for honor."

"Valor, Charlotte. Valor." His grin was still sweetly smiling at her. "It's different than honor. " He playfully shook his head. "I doubt me giving the butcher a few hints about the race will disqualify me."

"Well, no..." Charlotte knew exactly why the Coast Guard was honoring her husband, and he was right, they weren't going to take the award away from him.

Over his wife's shoulder, Graham saw a young couple walking toward them. He moved away from Charlotte and smiled at his oldest son and daughter-in-law. "Hey..." Graham walked toward Scott and Sarah and immediately looked to the little boy. "Let me see my first mate."

Charlotte watched her husband pick up their grandson and felt her heart swell. He'd been cute with their kids and he was even sweeter with the little boy.

"Here you go. I think you'll look better in this one." Moving the little hat of the boy's head, Graham put his oversized ball cap on the little boy's head, and put the little one on his. "What do you think, Charlotte. Better, right?" Graham turned to his wife and smiled.

"Perfect." The tiny little hat atop Graham's head made her laugh.

The family of five started to walk back down Water Street and Scott shook his head. "You know, Dad. I'm gonna start to be jealous of my own son. He's your first mate and I was just...Sailor."

Charlotte laughed and patted her son on the shoulder, "Don't feel too bad, Scott. Banks never really got a nick-name."

Graham nodded and looked back to Scott. "After Mayday turned out to be a pre-cursor, I knew I better watch it." Looking back to the little boy with blue eyes, Graham made a funny face. "But not with this one. I can tell. He's gonna do big things."

"Hopefully." Scott's wife nodded as she grabbed ahold of her husbands hand.

"He might even grow into that Coast Guard hat." Scott knew his father would love nothing more.

Grinning, Graham nodded. "Maybe."

Charlotte followed her husband through the crowds of people and couldn't help but smile at his pride in showing off their grandson. Walking around with the little boy was more fun than getting any award.

Nearly halfway down the long line of vendors they realized it was time to make their way towards the stage set up by City Hall. It was close to 10:30am, the race was coming to a close, and runners were crossing the finish with sweaty victory. Fifteen minutes until the ceremony began, the McFarlands headed towards City Hall's fountain to meet up with the rest of the family. To everyone's surprise, Mae we sitting on the fountain's edge.

Drawing circles and other shapes into the water, Mae loved the cold water on her skin. She heard the murmuring of her family as they approached, and she shook her hand free of the liquid and water.

"Did you race?" Scott noticed his sister's race number and questioned Mae with a laugh. He was holding his son now and bounced him in his arms.

"Uh...no. Long story."

Charlotte looked around and then back to her youngest daughter. "Where's Hattie?"

Mae felt herself grin. "Around." Her green eyes scanned the crowds and she pointed to her older sister. "Right there." Mae watched her family turn to spot Hattie with a mystery man.

"Who is that?" Graham's protective side came out and Mae laughed.

Walking past her father, she patted his chest with a grin, "Don't worry too much, Dad. He's in the Coast Guard."

Charlotte felt herself start to smile and she looked to her husband. Maybe the apple didn't fall far from the tree? "Mae, why don't you go run and get her."

Never one to run, hence her lack of participation in the Diligence Dash, Mae cupped her hands over her mouth and screamed her sister's name instead.

"Mae..." Charlotte scolded the blonde and swatted at her. "Don't do that."

Shrugging her shoulders, Mae looked to her mom with her hands out. "It worked."

Shaking her head with a laugh. Charlotte always wondered whether Mae was Sawyer's daughter. She certainly had the attitude for it.

Hattie and everybody else in relative proximity heard Mae's shouts. Turning her shoulder, she eyed the group standing next to City Hall's fountain and then looked back to the guy standing in front of her. "I uh...I have to go." Hurrying towards her family, Hattie left the Coastie by himself.

Once the oldest met up with the family, they headed for the stage. I would be simple. The kids and Charlotte would all stand on the left side with Graham until he was called up to the podium. He'd probably say a few words, smile, and wave to the crowd. Well known and respected in Tree Hill, Graham would likely get a nice applause.

The sun was glaring down on the stage with ferocious intent. Beads of sweat were pooling on everyone's foreheads.

Leaning close to Mae, Hattie whispered, "So where's Banks?"

"Just...it's all worked out." Mae fanned herself and smiled. "Chill."

Scott noticed his sisters whispering about something and butted in. "What's worked out."

"Shh." Mae's eyes widened.

"Nothing," Hattie snapped back.

Charlotte could hear the three of them behind her. "Would you quit it?"

Her mom was right. They were going to ruin it if they didn't stop. Hattie stepped next to her dad. He'd been staring off into the crowd, and she could tell he was nervous. Bumping shoulders with him, the brown-eyed young woman smiled, "I don't think I congratulated you for this yet."

Turning towards his oldest with a smile, Graham pulled Hattie close to him. "You don't have to, Minnow."

Hearing him say that made Hattie feel like a little girl again.

"Yeah, Dad..." Scott followed Hattie's lead and held out his hand. "You deserve it."

After shaking Scott's hand, Graham saw Mae step between the others.

She arched her brow and shrugged her shoulders with the grin that got her in trouble. "Go get em', Dad." She hugged her father and rested her head against his chest.

When Mae moved away, Charlotte stepped by her husband. She felt Graham take her hand. His fingers brushed over her engagement ring and they both looked to each other thinking the same thing. Thank goodness they'd found it in the sand all those years ago.

Lifting on her tiptoes, Charlotte pressed a sweet kiss against his cheek. "I love you, Graham."

"I love you, too."

The Admiral of Tree Hill's division of the Coast Guard stepped up to the microphone and started to introduce Graham and the award. Standing together, Charlotte and Graham all but toned out the commanding officer. They were busy being together in the moment. It was, after all, the anniversary of the day they met.

"...Allow me to introduce Rear Admiral Graham McFarland." Graham's boss looked to him with a smile, "The United States Coast Guard would like to acknowledge your dedication, commitment, and valor during your time with us."

Looking to Charlotte once more, Graham kissed her quickly before walking to center stage. Mid walk, however, he noticed who was holding the plaque. The applause was was loud but it didn't drown out the exchange between father and son.

"Banks..." Graham took the award and hugged his son.

"Congrats, Dad." The young Coastie patted his father on the back.

Taking a moment to let it sink in, Graham watched Banks walk over to the others. A grin spread across his face as he scanned over the happy faces. It had been thirty-three years in the making- his family, and he couldn't have done any of it without them. They'd given him the reasons to be the kind of man he'd become. Going down the line from Hattie to Banks, Graham's eyes ended on Charlotte's and he took a deep, sharp breath in. There was so much he could say to her. There was a lifetime's of thank-yous she deserved.

Charlotte looked back into those green eyes of Graham's and smiled. She slightly nodded at him as if accepting his silent words. She knew they were a team. They'd started something together, and they were going to finish together.

The End